"Obviously, people drinking along the highway unfortunately contributed to this particular death," he said.

The heartbreak has galvanised members of the local community to renew their push for change. They have successfully applied for uniform restrictions on alcohol sales at hotels in nearby towns.

Mr Bacon says this first step to tackle supply appears to be making a difference.

"Anecdotally speaking, that particular region now is having less incidence of drink-driving and less incidence of violent offences," he said.

The community is also asking the Federal Government to allow drinking at a spot three kilometres from Jilkminggan.

Mr Bacon says this spot, which is closer to the community but away from the highway, is a safer option.

"When I looked at the residents drinking on Roper Highway [compared] to the residents drinking on an arterial road directly into the community, it was a better safety option for me to consider, so I supported them in that proposal," he said.

Debate heats up

People from Aboriginal communities around the territory, including Jilkminggan, are preparing to meet in Darwin to weigh into the debate on alcohol policy in the territory.

The issue heated up during the recent election campaign in the Territory but in this case the Commonwealth has jurisdiction.

Ms Macklin released a set of minimum standards for community alcohol management plans last week.

"My first and foremost responsibility will be to make sure that children are safe and to assess any of these alcohol management plans against the interest of the safety of children," she said.

Jilkminggan's application to move its drinking spot will be subject to what the Government says will be a separate stringent process. The community says it has the same priorities, but Simone Baker says there has not been enough consultation.

"Before [the Government] just [throws] a big blanket over every community, [they should] ask them what ... your community needs for your drinkers," she said.

"Most of the time they will have things that they have already thought about."

Jilkminggan's alcohol management plans will require more resources including more police patrols to stop sly grog coming into the dry community.